LASAA Bylaws
The mission of the University of Illinois Alumni Association (UIAA) is to enhance and advance the relationship between the University of Illinois and all of its alumni, and to inspire lifelong loyalty and pride among alumni and friends by strengthening their continued relationship with the University in every way.
SECTION ONE
Name, Purpose and Objectives
Section 1.1 Name
The name of this organization shall be “THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLIOIS AT CHICAGO (UIC) COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (LAS) ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (LASAA). Throughout this document, this organization shall be referred to as “LASAA.” The LASAA shall be a constituent group of the University of Illinois Alumni Association.
Section 1.2 Purpose
The purpose of the LASAA is to further the goals and mission of the UIAA, support the College of LAS Alumni, students and faculty and the Campus Alumni Advisory Board’s (CAAB) activities.
Section 1.3 Objectives.
The objectives of the LASAA
- help maintain and enhance lifelong relationships between UIC and LASAA alumni
- ensure and enhance communications and connection with LASAA alumni;
- solicit and recruit candidates for award recognition;
- recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of LASAA alumni and friends;
- promote UIAA membership,
- assist UIC and LAS in accomplishing specific goals set as priorities
SECTION TWO
Eligibility, Membership and Dues
Section 2.1 Eligibility
All UIC LAS alumni who are members of the University of Illinois Alumni Association (UIAA) are members of the LASAA. The Dean of LAS or the Dean’s designee shall be an ex-officio, non-dues paying member of the LASAA.
Section 2.2 Membership
LASAA members shall have the right to vote and the right to hold LASAA offices. An ex-officio member is not eligible to vote, or to hold LASAA office.
Section 2.3 Dues
LASAA dues are set by the UIAA.
SECTION THREE
Officers, Terms, and Powers and Duties
Section 3.1 Officers
The officers of the LASAA shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers should be actively involved in the LASAA.
Section 3.2 Terms of Office
The officers shall serve for a period of two years or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers may succeed themselves in office for one additional consecutive term. Candidates elected shall be installed at the meeting at which the results of the election are determined.
Section 3.3 Powers and Duties
The officers of the LASAA shall have the usual duties for such offices, including but not limited to the duties provided for in these Bylaws.
Section 3.4 Chair
The Chair:
- provides leadership and takes overall responsibility for LASAA activities and projects
- presides at LASAA meeting and events;
- appoints ad hoc committees to carry out duties of the LASAA with approval of the Board.
Section 3.5 Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair:
- acts as the presiding officer in the absence of the chair;
- assists the chair to carry out his/her responsibilities;
- performs duties that the Board may designate.
Section 3.4 Secretary
The Secretary:
- works with liaison to coordinate meeting dates and mailing notices of events and Board meetings;
- submits notice of meeting date, time and place to members of the Board no less than two weeks in advance of regular Board meetings and no less than one week in advance for special Board meetings;
- records minutes/summaries of all Board meetings; and
- performs duties that the Board may designate.
Section 3.5 Treasurer
The Treasurer:
- oversees the financial affairs of the LASAA in compliance with the UIAA for the collection, safekeeping, and disbursement of funds of constituent groups;
- monitors the financial report of the LASAA as prepared by the UIAA, and periodically reports to the Board and the membership of the LASAA on the status of its account; and
- performs duties that the Board may designate.
SECTION FOUR
The Board of Directors
SECTION 4.1 The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of twenty-five (25) members, with one alumnus/a from each of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Departments, two (2) at-large members, one representative from the Student Alumni League (SAL), one faculty member (non-voting), and the Dean of LAS or the Dean’s designee. The Dean or the designee shall serve in an ex-officio capacity.
SECTION 4.2 Terms of Office
Each board member shall serve a two (2) year term and shall be eligible for re-election to two (2) consecutive terms.
SECTION 4.3 Power and Duties
The Board shall have complete control of all business, financial, and other affairs of the LASAA, in accordance with standards established by the University of Illinois Alumni Association. Every Board member is expected to attend regularly scheduled or special meetings. If a Board member is not able to attend a scheduled meeting, he/she should notify the Chair, the Secretary or the university liaison, in a timely manner.
SECTION 4.4 Succession
In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Board may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote elect another LASAA member to serve until the next regular election of the LASAA.
SECTION FIVE
Committee
SECTION 5.1 Nominating Committee
The Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee of five members of the LASAA. The primary duty of the Nominating Committee shall be to identify and recommend to the LASAA individuals for membership and propose officers. This committee shall submit a report to the Board with at least one name for each office.
SECTION SIX
Meetings, Attendance, Quorum and Voting
SECTION 6.1 Annual Meeting
At least one meeting shall occur annually. Association members shall be notified at least two weeks in advance of the time and place of this meeting.
SECTION 6.2 Board Meetings
The Board shall convene at least four (4) regular meetings per year. Directors are required to attend at least two (2) meetings per year. If any Director fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Board, the Board may remove that Director by a vote of a majority of the Directors present at a regular or special meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present. Meetings are usually scheduled during the months of October, January, April and July. All meetings of the Board shall be open to LAS alumni and members who are in good standing with the LASAA unless otherwise designated by the Board.
SECTION 6.3 Quorum
A quorum, defined as more than one half the board members of the LASAA, shall be required in order for the LASAA to transact business at any board meeting.
SECTION 6.4 Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chair or within thirty (30) days after the Chair receives a written request from no fewer than three Board members.
SECTION 6.5 Voting
Voting may be in person or by proxy, including electronic communication. All active members of the LASAA shall be entitled to a vote on any matters put before the LASAA at the annual meeting in person, or may send a proxy vote to the Secretary. Proxy votes must be specific.
SECTION 6.6 Attendance at Non-Meeting Event
Attendance at a minimum of one LASAA event (non-Board meeting) is required of each Director in each fiscal year (from July through June).
SECTION SEVEN
Advisory Board members and member representative on the Campus Alumni Advisory Board (CAAB)
SECTION 7.1 Advisory Board members
The Chair may appoint advisory members of the Board. Any member of the LAS Alumni Association who has completed three (3) years as a member of the Board is eligible to be appointed an advisory Board member. The primary role of advisory Board member is to provide advice and counsel to the elected members and officers regarding Board programs, plans, and activities and to undertake such special projects as may be assigned to them by the Board. Advisory board members shall be entitled to advance notice of meetings and any material that is distributed to other members of the Board. They may participate in Board meetings but may not vote on Board matters.
SECTION 7.2 Campus Alumni Advisory Board (CAAB) representative
The LASAA will have one member representative on the Campus Alumni Advisory Board. The CAAB representative will be nominated by the Chair, and voted upon by the Board.
SECTION EIGHT
Publications and Records
SECTION 8.1 Publications and Records
The LASAA may publish in accordance with the UIAA communications and publications committee policies and guidelines such as newsletters, pamphlets, and electronic publications.
SECTION NINE
Amendment of Operating Bylaws
SECTION 9.1 Amendments
The LASAA will review the Bylaws at least once a year. These Bylaws may be amended at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members of the Board thirty (30) days after publication of the proposed amendment to the LASAA members.
Edited 20 December 2006: Draft of LASAA Bylaws from the 19 January 2006 meeting.